Peru investigates underlying obstacles in ICT education strategies

"ICT can help develop autonomy in a student, successfully helping the student acquire competencies like investigation, organization of knowledge, problem-solving, participation and team-work, among others. According to the Consejo Nacional de Education del Peru, a strategy is needed to develop a technology education program that covers four essential aspects: use, appropriation, access, and sustainability. However, schools typically prefer programs oriented towards the quickest incorporation of technology possible. A study by the Consorcio de Investigacion Economico y Social identifies the principal problems with incorporation of new technologies in schools as: (i) lack of teacher capacity for designing and implementing methods of learning that utilize new technologies, and (ii) limited technological capacity for using and resolving problems with said technologies, which slows even further the process of appropriating them. To confront these challenges the country must develop an education policy for technology."

Implications:

Identifying these challenges is a great first step for Peru. Next we should watch to see if they are successful in altering their educational system to incorporate technology at this level. Not only will it require the increased technology capacity of the teachers, but an increase of funds for teachers and schools to purchase technology and have time to properly learn their use and design new syllabi.

Should Peru be successful in altering their educational system towards more applicable ICT usage, they can act as a model and leader for the rest of the world, including the global north.